The global mobile phone protective cover market size is anticipated to reach USD 35.5 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., registering a 7.5% CAGR during the forecast period. Increasing penetration of smartphones across the globe is the main factor driving demand for protective cases. For instance, according to a joint study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and PwC, the number of smartphone users in India is expected to reach 859 million by 2022, rising from 468 million users in 2017. Repairing a cracked or damaged phone screen can be rather expensive and this is a key factor propelling the need for protective mobile phone covers.

By product, the body glove segment held the largest market share in 2018. Introduction of sleek designs, coupled with use of advanced materials such as silicon, rubber, and thermoplastic polyurethane to deliver 360°protection, is expected to expand the application scope of the segment.

Conventional plastic materials such as polycarbonate are widely used to manufacture hard cases. These provide the least amount of protection to the phone and are more susceptible to cracks and damage when dropped. Hybrid mobile phone covers are better designed to absorb the impact of a fall, compared to cases made from conventional materials as they have a soft inner layer for better shock absorption. Owing to these benefits, the hybrid cases segment is anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR of 9.4% over the forecast period. Companies have also been using carbon fiber to enhance impact resistance in these phone covers. Although expensive, mobile phone protective covers made from this material are lightweight, strong, and durable.

Based on distribution channel, the offline segment held a leading market share of 71.0% in 2018. Most consumers still prefer buying products at physical stores rather than online portals as in-store allows the choice of physical verification of the products. Nevertheless, the online segment is anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR of 8.4% from 2019 to 2025, propelled by widespread penetration of mobile phones and the internet. Introduction of innovative delivery options, such as same day delivery, by prominent vendors, coupled with growing penetration of e-commerce vendors in tier II and tier III cities, is expected to have a positive impact on the growth of the market.

Asia Pacific held the leading share in 2018 owing to the presence of a large number of smartphone users. China is the dominant market in the region, fueled by soaring sales of protective covers via offline as well as online channels. The Middle East and Africa market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.0% over the forecast period, thanks to growing availability of mobile phones in countries such as South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya and increasing penetration of prominent vendors in the regional market. For instance, in July 2019, Vivo announced its plans to expand its business in Middle East & Africa market. As part of the expansion plan, the company’s latest products will be made available in UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia.

• By product, the body glove segment held the leading share in 2018. Introduction of multi-layered cases that provide 360°protection is the main factor driving the sales of body glove protective covers over the forecast period

• The online segment is anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR of 8.4% from 2019 to 2025. Increasing internet penetration across the globe, coupled with faster and reliable delivery by e-retailers, is driving the segment

• Asia Pacific was the largest marketin 2018, accounting for a share of over 40.0% of the global revenue. Expansion of the middle-income population group in key markets like China and India is expected to play a key role in increasing spending on mobile phone and accessories such as protective covers